rki.news | Altaf Hamid Rao
MIRPUR (AJK), July 7: Former Chairman of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Accountability Bureau, Justice (Retd) Syed Mazhar Kaleem Shah, has stressed the importance of tolerance, trust, dialogue and political wisdom to address the challenges facing Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Talking to journalists at the Kashmir Press Club Mirpur on Tuesday, Justice (R) Shah said all issues confronting the state could only be resolved through constitutional, legal, democratic and political processes. He emphasized the need to uphold the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law under all circumstances.
He said peaceful protests and public movements were legitimate elements of democratic societies, but lasting solutions to public issues could only be achieved through political engagement, consultation and negotiations.
Justice Shah said the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir have deep love and affection for Pakistan, adding that maintaining national unity, harmony and stability was a collective responsibility. He cautioned that isolated disagreements or individual actions should not affect the broader atmosphere of mutual respect and cohesion.
Referring to the issue of 12 Pakistan-based Jammu Kashmir refugee seats in the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly, he described it as a constitutional matter that should be addressed through constitutional mechanisms rather than public demonstrations.
He urged political leaders to directly engage with citizens and protesters, understand their concerns and find practical solutions through consensus.
Justice Shah emphasized that current circumstances require patience, responsibility and wisdom from all stakeholders to strengthen stability, public welfare and national unity. He concluded that dialogue, mutual understanding and cooperation remain the most effective ways to overcome differences and build a peaceful future.